Fitchburg motorcycle crash victim ID'd

FITCHBURG — The motorcyclist killed in Wednesday night's accident on Ashby State Road (Route 31) has been identified as James M. Pelletier, 23, of 350 Walton St., police said Thursday.

Mr. Pelletier was riding a 2001 Suzuki GSXR60 motorcycle north behind a truck shortly after 6 p.m. The truck driver told police he had a clear view of Ashby State Road at the intersection with Fisher Street.

Mr. Pelletier apparently crossed over the solid double-yellow lane divider and collided with a gray Volvo that had come off of Fisher Road, police said.

The motorcycle went airborne and Mr. Pelletier was thrown a long distance.

Fitchburg EMS transported him to HealthAlliance Hospital — Leominster Campus, where he was pronounced dead about 8:15, according to authorities.

The road was shut down in both directions as Officer Paul McNamara, the department's accident reconstruction expert, investigated.